Michael Pezzetta Reveals His Favorite Toronto Maple Leafs Star Growing Up

One of my buddies just texted me and said, 'I still can't believe you're on the Leafs.' There are definitely times where you pinch yourself. I'm really excited and so are my family and friends. Everyone is so fired up. One time, when I was a little kid, our team was at Air Canada Centre [now, Scotiabank Arena] to watch the Leafs practice. I was an energetic kid, not really scared of anything, so I found my way down to the locker rooms. I was running around outside the locker room, and I ended up running into [former NHL defenceman] Wade Redden and one of the goalies from the Ottawa Senators. By that time, my dad realized I had taken off and came looking for me. I was running around, trying to get guys to sign stuff. Mats Sundin was always my favourite player growing up. I had his pictures in my room, jerseys - things like that. I remember his 500th goal, coming across the blue line and blasting a slap shot home, far side, for the overtime winner, and a hat trick. It was a great memory.

Obviously, it's always nice to score, get points and contribute in that way. For me, a good game is being heavy on the forecheck, solid defensively, creating chances in the offensive zone, and being responsible. On the fourth line, you want to spend time in the offensive zone, wearing down the defencemen and bringing that energy. If you can buzz around their zone for 45 seconds or a minute, get a change in the offensive zone, or being all over the team's first line - if you can achieve those things, as a fourth line, you can always say, 'We had a good one tonight, boys.' When I signed, guys on the team reached out and welcomed me. It's nice to get those messages. It's been the same thing with my friends and family. They were all so excited when I signed. Now, it's about putting in the work and earning my spot. I am excited for that. It's easier to push harder on the bike and in the gym - that's my happy place, anyway - and it lights a fire under you. It's still surreal. It's the same as Montreal, it is a big market, there is pressure and expectations are high. But that makes sense and that's what makes it so great to play in these types of cities. I'm embracing every bit of it. I pride myself on being a player who goes out and plays hard for his teammates and for myself. That's what I expect of myself every night.